Jenny and Candelaria were attentive and warm. Stellar ocean views, food and drinks were full of flavor. Summer vibe. 5/5

The food was good overall. We ordered the vodka pasta, scampi, mushroom pizza, calamari, eggplant dip, caesar salad, and banana pancake. The portions were just okay...not super generous, but enough for everyone to get a decent amount. The only dishes I was disappointed with were the eggplant dip and banana pancake. I didn't really get much eggplant flavor from the dip, and it was pretty bland. The banana pancake wasn't really my favorite either. I didn't like the texture, and it didn't have much flavor. It came with butter, pistachio spread, and maple syrup, but I didn't think the pistachio crumbs really went well with the pancake. It also wasn't very fluffy. These were pretty much the only two dishes I didn't really enjoy. The mushroom pizza wasn't bad, but my favorites were definitely the pasta and calamari. You can never really go wrong with calamari, but the sauce that came with it was especially good and went really well with it, so we ended up ordering another one. The seating was honestly an issue for me. We were a party of 6, so I understand we needed a bigger table, but I noticed that pretty much all the tables around us were also seated with Asian guests. It reminded me of the situation at Great White, and I couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. I didn't say anything at the time because I was with a big group and didn't want to make things awkward or ruin the experience for everyone. I also felt some microaggression from our first server. Thankfully, the server was later changed to a female server who was much friendlier and nicer, which made the rest of the experience better. Also, it was really hot in the standard dining area and there didn't seem to be any AC. If you're making a reservation, I'd definitely recommend asking for the sunset view seating if you can. I think that would make the experience much better. read more

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Vibes immaculate. It was giving bohemian chic. I sat outside in the sunset room (it was pretty noisy, but you're there to enjoy the food & ambiance, right?!). If you're there to socialize, speaking loud is a must. My top dishes were the whipped eggplant & the spicy vodka sauce pasta. Whipped eggplant is exactly how it sounds, so creamy and pairs nicely with the pita bread. I am still dreaming about this combo!! Book the reservation...just do it!! read more

Élephante - Fried Calamari (left) and whipped eggplant (right) - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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My husband and I came here for a lunch date, and we had a great experience. The service was amazing--everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel well taken care of. The food was pretty good overall, but the standout was definitely the eggplant dip with the warm pita. It was absolutely delicious and easily our favorite dish of the meal. The atmosphere was beautiful, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing lunch or date. We'll definitely be back to enjoy the ambiance and try more of the menu. read more

I really do love Elephante. The menu is fantastic and the venue is beautiful. I chose it for my birthday dinner, and we were so lucky to get a reservation just one day before in the Sunset Room for 7pm. We ordered a lot, and everything was wonderful. My absolute favorite is the whipped eggplant dip. It's an absolute must order, and I love it so much that I order one to go every single time I visit. Since we don't live nearby, I hadn't been back in quite a while, so I was excited to celebrate my birthday here. We were seated on time and while it was a little loud at first, it was manageable. We got to enjoy the sunset, which was gorgeous. Within about an hour, everything changed... Once the sun went down, the restaurant became unbelievably dark. I'm all for mood lighting, but this was the kind of darkness where the lights are dimmed so low that you genuinely start questioning whether your eyes are playing tricks on you. It wasn't quite pitch black, but it was so dark that it became difficult to even see the people at the bar. The lighting wasn't even the worst part. The noise level became absolutely unbearable. For some reason, as the sun went down, the volume in the room just kept increasing. It got to the point where I had to literally yell just to have a conversation with the friend sitting next to me. The four of us couldn't have a conversation together. We could only lean over and shout to the person beside us. After a while, I was exhausted from yelling. When it came time to order dessert instead of a birthday cake, I couldn't even do it. I absolutely love their passion fruit pavlova and had been looking forward to it, but between the overwhelming noise and how incredibly dark it was, I honestly felt like I was losing my mind. I kept asking myself if I could make it through dessert, and eventually I realized I couldn't. Everyone at the table was clearly suffering too, and I didn't want them to stay just because it was my birthday. So we skipped dessert, the whipped eggplant dipped togo, asked for the check as quickly as possible, and got out of there. I'll be back because the food is genuinely great, but only for an earlier reservation. read more

Élephante - Truffle pasta - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Wow! What an experience elephante was! I was walking around with the friend where we decided that we were long overdue for some yummy cocktails, and a bite to eat. We walked into the house and they told us that there's no open tables, but the bar is open seating. We got lucky enough to be able to grab a seat at the bar where you can also experience the entire food menu with cocktails, so it worked out perfectly. We landed on the whipped eggplant, Earl Grey, martini, a Paloma and a few pasta to share. The whipped eggplant is something that's definitely a must when you go to elephantE! This was a perfectly whipped smooth, tasty dip with freshly warmed pita, it's the perfect app. I landed on the spicy vodka pasta. My friend landed on the pesto. Both were absolutely cooked to perfection with great spices, great flavor and portions that were perfect for sharing. I cannot wait to be able to land a table over overlooking the ocean to enjoy elephante again read more

Élephante - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The food was delectable!! 10 out of 10! I made a reservation at 5:45pm for my husband and I for his birthday. I noted on the reservation that we were celebrating a birthday and the staff confirmed this when we arrived. The gifted him a dessert with a candle. We started with the recommended whipped eggplant with focaccia. It was incredible and I don't often eat eggplant. For dinner we had the vodka sauce pasta and bolognese, these were also awesome! The only downside was that despite noting we were celebrating a birthday, we did not get a table near the view. In fact, I saw multiple tables get moved closer when requested. I would have thought a place if this caliber would have done the same for us. Parking: paid lot and street parking. read more

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Elephante offers an incredible atmosphere with its perfect jungle-themed ambiance that sets the scene for a fantastic evening. We started with the dirty martini, which was made to absolute perfection. The food is just as impressive as the drinks. We tried the whipped eggplant, the meatballs, and the shrimp, and every single one of them was a ten out of ten. We also shared the Bianco pizza and the pasta, which were both amazing, and the broccoli was equally delicious. The service was perfect, with a team that was attentive and ensured everything ran smoothly. I highly recommend this place as it does not disappoint. read more

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Pretty cool happening spot! Food and drinks were absolutely delicious! I do enjoy that lovely breeze in the middle of summer. Customer service was ok- but I get it, it was extremely busy. So imagine how overwhelming it just be for the workers? Totally understandable. read more

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Really flashy, trendy spot in Santa Monica with a great view of the ocean (depending on where you're sitting). Making reservations was pretty simple and luckily Santa Monica has parking structures everywhere so parking was pretty easy (lot literally across the street). Service and staff were friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. It's a bit loud for my taste but we were still able to hold conversations fine. We ordered the following: - Whipped Eggplant: not a fan of eggplants but this was delicious. I see why this is a signature item. - Calamari Fritti - Meatballs: it was a bit sweet? Kids enjoyed it. - Vodka Sauce Pasta - Ragu Bianco - Prosciutto Scramble - Polenta & Mushrooms - 10 oz Prime Skirt Steak Everything was cooked well, delicious and was enough food for 7 of us (including 2 kids). I saw some items I think I would want to try so I will defintiely be back. We came for brunch and for the price, quality and location...I would definitely recommend. read more

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With a stellar view of the Pacific Ocean and the famous Santa Monica Pier from this rooftop restaurant, Élephante did not disappoint! It was recommended by friends and well worth the effort. Several parking garages are nearby with affordable rates. In a boisterous dining room, the open-air eatery enjoys sea breezes with a menu filled with brunch foods and Italian dishes. Despite a reservation, we were seated at the bar temporarily, but they quickly moved us to a proper table within 10 minutes. And we lucked out with the most charming waitress!! For starters, please get the calamari!! I've never had it fried in tapioca and rice flour, which was a bonus for our gluten-free table mate. It's so light and airy but rivals any other calamari I've ever eaten. I've consumed who knows how many tons of squid in my lifetime, and I'd probably rank this the second best calamari I've ever eaten! Leave it to the Angelenos to make healthy food that tastes amazing! Torn between the cacio e pepe and vodka sauce pasta, our server unflinchingly recommended the vodka pasta for which Élephante is kind of famous. And yes, it's an incredible dish! High-quality calamarata pasta meets expertly crafted vodka sauce with a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano. And the pavlova dessert is spectacular, a heap of meringue topped with a white chocolate mousse and tres leches ice cream. The server pours a passion fruit glaze over the dessert when it arrives at the table. Wow, the textures and flavors!! This restaurant is a magnificent experience all around. read more

Élephante - Calamari Fritti - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Was in the area and had never been to Elephante, for some reason, so finally decided to stop in for brunch and check it out. Very cute restaurant with great ambiance and views of the beach. Sat against the railing overlooking the ocean, so the vibes were right. Restaurant was just but things moved along quickly enough. First we put in our drink orders. The Elephante cocktail is delightful. We tried one with rum and one with mezcal. Mezcal was the definitive winner here and I would recommend that. For food, we tried a variety of items. Presentation for each dish was great, since we eat with our eyes first. The steak and eggs was good, stay was cooked well, nice and tender, but the dish wasn't anything you're going to necessarily remember. The Tagliatelle Tartufo was ok as well, a good amount of truffle on the dish, though I feel truffle can be an overpowering flavor and really dominate a dish. If I were to go back, I wouldn't get this pasta dish again, probably try something like the cacio e pepe or the vodka sauce pasta. The breakfast pizza was good, plenty of seasoning and cheese on it. The best item, in our opinions, was probably the ricotta pancakes with the caramelized bananas, at least the top layer. A little pancakes, a little banana with some pistachio and syrup made for a great bite. Overall, cute restaurant with great vibes. Food was decent but not necessarily memorable. The Elephante with mezcal was a must though. Go for the vibes and drinks and maybe grab a breakfast pizza and ricotta pancakes. read more

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This is a super busy spot! Upon arriving (with a reservation of course) we approached the entrance where you check in and were directed to take the elevator to where the restaurant was. Once we were on the restaurant floor we checked in again with the front desk, we waited a little less than ten minutes until we were seated. Once sat our server was very attentive and gave some good recommendations. The food was very filling and I wish I had been able to stomach more because the rigatoni was delicious! The only downside was the volume, it was very loud so i would recommend for large crowds not necessarily a romantic night out. read more

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Had fantastic time here! Great location with amazing views. Staff is nice and food came out with goos timing. The drinks & food is also good. We ordered some appetizers, some pizzas and salads. All good. read more

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Extremely underwhelmed by this experience. We arrived a 15 min early, and was told to wait at the bar for the table to be ready. No problem, except 1) there was no room at the bar, to the point where we were told to keep the aisle clear .. but how, when you are sending everyone to the bar? 2) there were plenty of tables that were empty, but no one was being seated. It didn't seem like they were short staffed either. Once we were sat (in the sunset room), it felt like we were in a cafeteria. There was no space between our row of 4 tables. However, I will commend that service was relatively quick. Food arrived within 10 minutes of placing the order, and I do appreciate the open kitchen concept. The squid ink pasta was ok, definitely first time seeing it on non linguini or spaghetti. The pizza was also ok, a little too salty for my taste from the cured meats, could've laid off the salt since the meat was used as topping. I will say that both portions were a decent size. We left feeling pretty full, but not stuffed. For the price (roughly $100 post tax and tip) for 2 people - 1 drink and 2 entrees, I am absolutely certain there are other restaurants that could've been a better experience. read more

This might be the best location around for ocean views. Drinks are expensive but they take care in making great cocktails. Food was great and you can tell that everything is fresh. read more

Élephante - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

To keep it 100, Élephante is a beautiful restaurant with incredible service, the staff was kind every step of the way and they made my friends birthday so special. The food is okay. The tuna tar tar tasted generic and the sauces carried, you couldn't really taste the fish. The calamari was incredible, but also tasted like 5 other calamari's I've had, it wasn't bad, but it didn't bring that south of Italy that the restaurant aspired to produce. The two pizzas we got were the burrata and the wild mushroom pizza The burrata was rich and the tomato's were fresh, and the wild mushroom was amazing. I wish I only got that, maybe I should've tried more of the menu, I was really pleased with my dinner But it's not as special as it seems read more

Élephante - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Went for brunch w my friends while visiting LA! The restaurant is absolutely beautiful with outdoor seating looking out to the ocean. I ordered the bluefin tartare and tried some of the whipped eggplant. The tartare was extemely mid tier and lacked salt. The whipped eggplant also lacked salt in my opinion, and it didn't have that wonderful smokey flavor that eggplant can take on as a dip. For a main (we went for brunch), I tried the breakfast sandwich which came on an English muffin. Again, not enough salt for me haha. I also didn't like the hash brown it included as it was a bit mushy, especially given the sandwich also had avocado. Overall the atmosphere is lovely for brunch and the service was prompt and friendly, but the food is extremely average. read more

Élephante - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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4 stars only because it's extremely hard to get a table with a view! The highlight of this restaurant is definitely THE VIEW. It's what makes the whole experience special. I really enjoyed the cocktails -- they were excellent. The food is fairly average overall, but I can't wait to come back to try their pavlova dessert. It does get pretty crowded, but that also adds to the vibe of the place. The server was helpful and quick with everything, which I appreciated. I would definitely come back--especially if I can get a table with a view read more

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The biggest downside was the service.. Bussers and/or server assistants were way more attentive and kind than our own server. Waters were brought right away but it took about 15 mins to get greeted by a server and even then, it wasn't a "hello". Instead it was a "did we have enough time with the menu"... I ordered every recommended item I had seen on social media and all lived up to the expectation. Prices aren't outrageous for this quality of food in my opinion. Hopefully the next visit has better service to make it a 5 star experience! read more

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Honestly, I am usually unimpressed by LA dining options. For the most part it's wayyy overpriced relative to the quality. Not the case at Élephante. I highly recommend this spot for a few reasons: 1. Excellent service. We arrived about 45 min early for our reservation hoping to snag a table a bit before. While we couldn't be sat immediately, the sent us to the bar where we enjoyed some yummy cocktails. Not even 10 minutes later, the waitress came to sit us at a lovely table right by the water without being outside -- score! 2. The food is so freaking good. Let's start with the whipped eggplant which totally blew my mind. I'm now thoroughly convinced I might actually like eggplant as long as it's prepared like this. Definitely a fave. Every dish was delicious, though, including the hot honey pizza and the pear salad. 3. The views! So beautiful! Such a gorgeous place to watch the sunset in Santa Monica. Highly highly recommend! read more

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Elepahante is a lively, romantic spot located in the heart of Santa Monica. I've visited this spot once before and enjoyed the vodka pasta, so i decided to reorder it. However, I noticed that the recipe has changed, and found myself preferring the previous version. We also ordered the eggplant dip as an appetizer, which was creamy and delicious. The meatballs were great as well! My only downside was that service was not the quickest. read more

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Food: - vodka pasta: 8.6/10, better than uovo, came out super slow - whipped eggplant: 7.8/10, lacked flavor but texture of the pita was good - grilled octopus: 7/10, good, refreshing Service: - similar to other reviews, our wait staff did not check on us - we were also seated very close to another table Ambiance: - lots of public lots around - the entrance makes it hard to gauge whether the restaurant is full or not - we were late for our reservation (Saturday) and were told that they needed the table 1.5hrs later (which was fine) but once we're seated, there were at least five tables of varying sizes that stayed empty well past the 1.5hrs mark so I'm not sure what that whole comment was about read more

My husband and I had such a lovely dinner at Elephante this weekend. I definitely recommend making a reservation, as it gets busy, but even if your table isn't quite ready, the experience starts off on a great note. They have a couple of bar areas where you can comfortably wait with a drink, which made the wait feel like part of the evening instead of an inconvenience. Our server was friendly, personable, and gave us some great recommendations. We ended up ordering a few of the classics, and everything was delicious. The highlight of the night was our table. We were lucky enough to be seated overlooking the ocean during golden hour, and it was absolutely perfect. Between the beautiful views, attentive service, and great food, it made for such a memorable date night. We'll definitely be back! read more

Élephante - Burrata Appetizer - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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My party went on a Thursday night around 9pm and it was packed. The staff were always running around with the amount of tables they had to serve. They consistently checked up on my large group, which was much appreciated considering how busy it was. As a heads up, it is pretty loud in the dining area. The food was fantastic. The whipped eggplant dip was so good, the bread came out piping hot and fluffy. I also really enjoyed my margarita pizza and would definitely return next time I'm in the area. I've heard sunsets are a must see at Elephante! read more

Élephante - Potatoes - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Have been meaning to try Élephante knowing it'd be a splurge, but I'm so glad I did! Honestly, the food was way better than I was expecting for such a hyped, glitzy LA spot. We got the gemelli scampi pasta ($30) and soppressata pizza ($27), and both were pretty good, especially the pasta. Keep in mind it gets very, very loud and hard to hear if you're having conversations - was bustling and completely packed on a late Thursday night around 9-10pm. We weren't seated near the water view, but the vibes were still great. Would definitely recommend making a reservation as we had to wait around 20-30 minutes without one, even late. I would come back, maybe to try their brunch menu / something else for dinner for a special occasion! read more

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Celebrated my birthday here a couple of years ago, I was able to get a table for 13 of us with a pre fixed lunch menu for $45 pp I believe. I had to call in advance and book this reservation via email with a no show fee of the full per head amount. All of the food was absolutely amazing! Tapas style. The ambiance was top notch, with beach views, and a boho vibe, it doesn't get any better. We had a dedicated server, who was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal! read more

Élephante - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The view is unbeatable. It's the only reason I'd ever consider coming back here. I've loved this spot for years, but unfortunately, in the last year someone who is with us gets insane food poisoning. To play it safe, I'd go for a drink (they also have margarita pitchers that are great), but I would not recommend going there to eat. The staff is always very friendly and I'm hopeful they can fix the quality of their food so I can return. read more

Rooftop experience was on the list and this gem filled the craving. Great view of Santa Monica pier and oceanfront along with great customer service and accommodations. This is place to go to for a wonderful moment. Ratings - 5 Price - $$$ Quality - 4 Ambiance - 5 Portions - 5 Cleanliness - 5 read more

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If you're looking for a true vibe in Santa Monica, Élephante is it. I came here to celebrate my birthday, and from the moment we walked in, everything felt elevated. The ambiance is sexy and intimate--dim lighting, a beautiful open kitchen, and stunning ocean views that make the whole experience feel romantic and special. It's definitely more of an adult atmosphere, so I personally wouldn't recommend bringing kids. The food? Fresh, flavorful, and honestly amazing across the board. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and perfectly balanced. You can tell they care about quality.Between the atmosphere, the service, and the food, this place made my birthday feel unforgettable. If you want a romantic night out or just a grown, elevated dining experience--this is the spot. read more

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I had the Vodka Sauce Pasta and it was so creamy and so flavorful I actually love this freaking pasta I always love me some Big Eye Tuna Tartar can't mess this up just an instant classic appetizer Finally I had the Soppressata Pizza and it was delicious the the melted cheese was great mixed with the cured pork chilli oil and honey it was so gas like fr fr. The service was good and the ambience was great. I love the location of the restaurant is at. read more

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We made a reservation for 9 and already pretty early so we were able to hang out at the bar for a little bit before sitting down. There isn't much space to wait so I do recommend hanging out at the bar if you can. We were sitting in the outside area and the view itself was spectacular. It was a real chilly night and they server saw we were freezing and he brought over blankets. I was in shock and so appreciative cause I was cold. The food was amazing. The service was just as good. It was such a nice time. read more

Great views, other patrons were great and the bartenders who assisted us were both top tier and helpful in selecting both drinks and food options. I enjoyed the pesto option along with a few of their house made special drinks! Only issue I had which made a strong first impression was both the hostess downstairs specially and the ones who welcomed us as we entered the establishment. In both cases, it appeared almost uninviting, rather informal and simply off putting. We didn't leave as we already had a reservation and drove all the way from the Inland Empire. Great spot, outstanding food, excellent drinks and the people make it amazing. Just know the welcoming experience, depending on the day, may be subpar. read more

I can't believe I never knew about this place. I always park in the parking structure across the street to go to third street promenade but how would I even know about it? It's hidden and not easy to find (or even noticeable. There is definitely plenty of parking because it's inbetween two parking lots. One next to it and one directly across the street. Once you arrive, you approach a hostess outside with a bouncer who ask you if you have a reservation or the name of your party. Once approved you walk through a hallway to a small elevator that holds a max of 6 people. Once the doors open, there is another hostess desk and they lead you to where you need to be. The rooftop restaurant is bright, open, airy and energetic atmosphere. It has all the right vibes and you just feel alive. The place was clean and has a beach coastal vibe with beautiful views of the ocean and palm trees. Service was quick, our waiter was cool and helped with advice on a few food and drink options. We ordered meatballs, eggplant dip, and arancini for appetizers. I went with the branzino and a westside mule and I must say, everything was excellent. There wasn't one thing that I didn't like. I have to add that the meatballs were amazing! This whole experience was great and I will 100% be coming back to try other options. The vibe, views, drinks and food make this a must if you are ever in Santa Monica. I've already told so many people about it. OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros read more

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I recommend making a reservation as this place is very popular...rightfully so. You CANT skip out on the eggplant dip - the bread or whatever with it is amazing. Vodka pasta was cooked to perfection. We got the artichoke pizza which was fine this isn't a must get dish unless you really like artichoke pizza. We sat outside which was lovely however I wish they had heaters cause I got cold. The one bad thing I will say about this place is that it was soooo loud. I don't know if it's where we were sitting but we asked the waiter to move us to a different table and he was kind enough to do so but did not make much of a difference. read more

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5 stars for the food, presentation, and the room. Minus 1 star for the service. Beautiful rooftop space with a view of the ocean. Our group was seated comfortably at a table with low couches in the sunset room. The room did get loud as the tables began to fill. We started with the whipped eggplant and signature puccia which was as visually striking as it was delicious. Among us we had orders of green eggs, roasted mushroom pizza, eggs benedict, and prosciutto scramble. Food came quickly although we could have used a few more minutes with the puccia before the rest of the food arrived. Presentation was gorgeous and portions were good. Everyone was marveling at their food. I had the prosciutto scramble which had all the components of a great brunch meal with the soft scrambled eggs, salty prosciutto, sharpness of arugula balanced with the mildness of the fontina toast. It was wonderful. We finished with the pavlova where the sweet was met with the tartness of the passion fruit glaze . And so fun to crack open the mousse exterior. The only flaw was our server. She started off strong and then we didn't see her when we wanted another round of cocktails and to order more bread. We also had to wait for her to come back to settle our checks. Overall it was a great experience in all respects just a little off with the service. Other things to note: Parking is valet or metered street parking. There is two hours free street parking north of Wilshire before 6 pm. Maximum of three credit cards per party. read more

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I can't stress this enough -- make a reservation. We showed up around noon on a Saturday thinking we could walk in and were told it was a 2-hour wait. We came back around the 1.5 hour mark to check in, and the hostess basically said "yeah, you've waited long enough" and then sat the three of us at a table for six. It just felt a little off/rude. Food-wise, it was good. We ordered the vodka sauce pasta and the soppressata pizza -- both solid. For dessert, we got the pavlova, but the passionfruit was really sour and kind of took over the whole thing. Service overall was decent, bathrooms were clean, and parking is right across the street (no validation as far as I could tell). Overall, I'd probably come back because the food was good, but the vibe felt a little more posh than expected. Just definitely make a reservation so you don't deal with the wait. read more

Élephante - pavlova - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Elephante was stunning inside. They seated us in a beautiful area that felt like a cozy lounge. Starters: - Whipped Eggplant (7/10; I wish it had been a bigger portion!) - Meatballs (9.3/10; incredibly juicy! The sauce had a hint of pepper.) Pasta: - Fusilli Pesto (7.2/10; it looked like matcha, was really creamy, and had a green color.) Pizza: - Sopressata (9.6/10; not much cheese, just the way I like it! It was very meaty and tomatoey.) Desserts: - Birthday Tequila - Tiramisu (8.8/10; I absolutely love the custard at the bottom.) read more

Élephante - Fusilli Pesto and Pizza - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Elephante is the quintessential LA restaurant to me. It's been in the back of my mind for years, as various influencers have mentioned it as the "it restaurant" to go to with your friends or have a nice date night at. When I knew I was visiting Santa Monica, it's the first place I thought of to snag a reservation at. All this being said, I clearly had high expectations going in. Before entering, you are greeted by a host outside. Then you walk through a dark hallway till you reach the elevator that actually brings you up to the restaurant. Our reservation was for 9pm on a Saturday and wasn't ready until 9:20, which wasn't too annoying considering it was a late reservation and the place was packed. In the meantime you're encouraged to hang out by the bar. The atmosphere was lively and loud. The interior was open and had many Mediterranean inspired design elements. I wasn't able to see the costal views because it was nighttime sadly, but I imagine that would add to the experience. Once we were seated, our sever was friendly and highlighted the most popular menu items. To start I had the arugula and pear salad. It was sufficiently dressed and I enjoyed the combination of the salty ricotta salata and the sweet pear. Then I got the uber popular and highly recommend whipped eggplant. It was truly spectacular. The whipped texture was heavenly. It was somehow so light and airy, but also rich and creamy. The smoky eggplant flavor was bold and was complimented by the high quality oil on top. I have never had a dip so unique and addictingly good! For my main, I got the vodka pasta, which also lived up to the high praise. The pasta was a satisfying shape and cooked perfectly. The vodka sauce was tangy, creamy, and had the perfect slight kick of spice from the Calabrian chili. To drink I had their mojito, which was refreshing and overall a balanced cocktail. I definitely would go out of my way to come here again! read more

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The most perfect spot in Santa Monica for a delicious meal and beautiful view! We enjoyed some delicious and vibrant cocktails. The meatballs appetizer were very impressive - savory, nice depth of flavor, and was honestly the highlight of our whole meal! The vodka pasta was creamy and the chicken entree was spicy and a sizable portion! It's four stars and not five because our food came out in the wrong order. one entree came out before our meatball appetizer and then 10-15 minutes later the next entree came out. they seemed a little unorganized in that aspect, but our server was great and we had a nice time read more

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